Fillies and fascinators

Joanna Davies dusts off her race-day frock and gloves for Ellerslie's Christmas Carnival.

There's an old saying that kings and gypsies meet as equals on the racecourse, and that could not apply more at Ellerslie's Christmas Carnival.
"On the racecourse, a thousand-dollar horse could easily beat a million-dollar horse, and they often do," says Auckland Racing Club chief executive Chris Weaver.
Off the track it's the same.
Whether you prefer fancy dressing or kicking around in the sand, there will be something for everyone at the Boxing Day races, the first of three events running up to New Year's Day.
The Herald On Sunday Champagne Lawn is the place for the women with fascinators and the men in suits, but the infield is the place to enjoy the races for a more relaxed day.
The club is laying a miniature beach for the day, and setting up an 18m barbecue for patrons to cook their own food. There is also an unplugged concert and a beach cricket tournament.
As tradition dictates, Boxing Day is also the racing event for Fashion in the Field, when Auckland's glamorous compete for best-dressed titles.
The biggest change this year is that patrons are no longer allowed to bring their own alcohol.
"There's been a tradition that people could bring their own drinks, and we've had a very good track record with people being well behaved, but bylaw changes mean that people cannot bring their own alcohol now," says Mr Weaver.
This will come as a relief to the clerk of the racecourse, Ross Coles, who is in charge of safety on the track.
"We have 10- to 20,000 patrons that wouldn't usually come to the races and, for all we know they could run onto the track.
"So we are the eyes on the course to make sure that everything is safe," says Mr Coles. "But it is a great occasion. You can't say you've seen everything unless you've been to a racing carnival. It is very glamorous."
Mr Coles, who will spend racedays wearing a traditional red hunting coat and riding his horse, Rocky, encourages newcomers to get involved in the whole day.
"It's not just the races, it's the fashion and the people, too. It's a great day out."
December 28 is a family fun day, with plenty of children's entertainment, and New Year's Day Races on January 1 will be when to see the best of the country's thoroughbred horses compete.
This event will also include entertainment and a barbecue.
And they're off ...
The New Zealand Herald Christmas Carnival takes place over three days - Boxing Day, December 28 and New Year's Day.
Tickets are available for each day online at www.ellerslie.co.nz, as is information on dress codes and entertainment.
On Auckland Anniversary Weekend (January 29-31), the Karaka Million runs at Ellerslie, marking the first million-dollar race of the season. Information and tickets for this are also on the Ellerslie Racecourse website.